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HRD minister launches center for research in renewable energy in IIT Delhi

Aimed at establishing a world class research facility to develop cutting edge renewable energy solutions, a Center of Excellence was launched at IIT Delhi on Tuesday.

Union Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD) Prakash Javadekar launched the Sumant Sinha ReNew Centre of Excellence for Energy &Environment, established jointly with ReNew Power Ventures Pvt Ltd and IIT Delhi. The symbiosis between the scientific talent at IIT Delhi and industrial expertise at ReNew Power will build an innovative platform for research in renewable energy.

ReNew Power is one of India’s fastest growing renewable energy independent power producers with over 2.5 GW of operational capacity in a short span of 6 years.

The Center, a hub for clean energy related research will undertake studies in three specific fields—integration of large scale roof top capacity with the electricity distribution network using battery storage technology, measures for strengthening of transmission grid to accommodate the flow of renewable energy from utility scale plants and development of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

Launching the Center, HRD minister Prakash Javadekar said: “Industry participation is essential for creating solutions which are market ready and this center will help solve critical problems in the clean energy sector. This is a wonderful example of how alumni can give back to their institutes and industry-academia collaboration.”

Maintaining that research and innovation were continuous processes he said that all problems had solutions. “There will be a competition of cutting the cost without tampering the efficiency. There is a need to create value additions in higher education. We should have more such industry-academia collaborations.”

Addressing the gathering Sumant Sinha, Chairman &CEO, ReNew Power said: “We are delighted to be partnering with IITD and I consider myself fortunate to start this initiative in my alma mater. We are confident that this partnership will facilitate innovative research and help develop clean energy solution. It will also promote an exchange of ideas between industry, academia and policy makers from across the world to promote faster adoption of renewable energy.”

Earlier, delivering his welcome address IIT Delhi director Prof V Ramgopal Rao said the center will bring together knowledge and research on clean energy and help deploy clean energy technology solutions to establish India as a rising leader in the world of renewable energy. “This is a milestone. Industry connect is something close to our heart. We have seen a 100% increase in R&D sponsored funding. The R&D needs to reach to the stakeholder and for this collaboration with industry is very important."

Coordinator of the center Prof G Bhuvaneshwari highlighted the research initiatives that would be taken up at the center.

Dean R&D gave the vote of thanks and expressed confidence that the center will gradually emerge as a major center for research. “We will be working together jointly in many areas,” he said.